Molding-machine.



H. A. SMITH.

MOLDING MACHINE.

41PL10AT1011 FILED ma. 2s, 1911.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

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MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. ze, 1911.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

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H. A. SMITH. MOLDING MACHINE. APPLIOATIONTILED IBB.28, 1911.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

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atroz/mow HIRAM A. SMITH, 0F PAW PAW, MICHIGAN.

MOLDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 28, 1911.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

Serial No. 611,420.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, HIRAM A. SMITH, a citizenof the United States, residing at the village of Paw Paw, county of VanBuren, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Molding- Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in molding` machines.

'The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improvedmolding machine adapted for use in the manufacture of blocks forbuilding circular structures, such as tanks, silos and the like, whichcan be readily adjusted tor the manufacture of blocks for buildingstructures of different diameters. Second, to provide an improvedmolding machine, which is capable of very rapid manipulation and onewhich is easy to operate. Third, to provide an improved molding machinewhich is comparatively simple and economical in structure and` at thesame time, one which is very durable and not likely to get out ofrepair.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details willdetinitelv appear from the detailed description to follow'.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of myinvention, one of the end walls being shown in its open or collapsedposition, by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan View, a portion being brokenaway to better illustrate the structural details. Fig. 3 is an end Viewlooking from the right of Fig. 1, with one of the side walls in its openor collapsed position. Fig. 4L is a detail vertical section taken on aline corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontalsection taken on a line corresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. G is adetail section taken on a line corresponding to line 6 6 of Figs. 1 and2. Fig. 7 is a detail section taken on a line correspending to line 7-7of Fig. 2, showing the connection for bottom wall supporting arms totheir supports.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the frame is preferably formed of side membersl and end members 2 secured together` by bolts 3. The frame may,however, be of any desired construction. The mold bottom or pallet 4shown is formed of a plate having a cross cleat 5 at each end, and atthe center, and longitudinal strips G' secured below the cleats. Thissecures a very strong bottom and one which may, at the same time, beformed of light material. The side walls 7 and the end walls 8 aresupported by arms 9. The bottom is supported by the arms 10. The arms 9are pivotally mounted on the frame brackets 11, the brackets beingprovided with vertical slots 12 for the arm pivots 13. The pivots areprovided with clamping sleeves 11i, so that the pivots can be adjustablysecured in the slots without clamping the arms. The walls are adjustablymounted on the arms so that they can be adapted for the manufacturing ofblocks for use in building tanks orjsilos or other circular structures.This in the structure illustrated, I accomplish by providing the wallswith coupling plates 15 having curved slots 16 therein. The plates arepivoted on the arms at 17 and adjustably secured by the clamping bolts18. Thus mounted the walls may be adjusted as desired. The brackets A19for the arms 10 of the bottom, are mounted on the projecting ends 20 ofthe cross pieces 21. This is to permit a swinging movement, and, at thesame time, the bottom is not tilted sufficiently to be objectionable.The arms 10 are provided with cross bars 22 adapted to receive the moldbottom between them, as illustrated. The bottom is raised and lowered bymeans of the cam shaft 23, having cams 24 thereon, which coact with thecam engaging members 25 and the arms 10. These cam engaging members are,in the structure illustrated, springs, and are adjusted and supported bymeans of the set screws 26, see Fig. 4. The cross bars 21 are providedwith stops 27 for the side wall supporting arms, the arms being providedwith coacting stops 28, that of the structure illustrated being in theform of screws, so that they may be readily adjusted. To guide andsupport the arms when the walls are swung to their erected position, Iprovide catches 29, which are mounted on the cross bars 2l, adjustingscrews 30 being provided for the catches. These catches prevent thelateral movement of the walls when they are swung to their erectedposition.

The supporting arms for the end walls are actuated by means of the crank31, having disk-like crank members 32 thereo-n, which are connected tothe arms by links 33. rIlhese links are provided with yokeshapedcoupling members 34, which permit the swinging of the crank pivots 35past the axial center of the shaft so that a toggle lock for the sidewalls is secured. 'Ihese links are coupled to the crank members inopposed pairs so that the strain on the parts is minimized. The endwalls are provided with side wall engaging members 36 which engage theouter sides of the side walls when the end walls are swung intoposition, as shown in Fig. l, thus retaining and supporting the sidewalls. One of the side walls is provided with a groove 37 and the otherwith a corresponding rib 38 for forming tongues and grooves in theblocks molded. The walls are also preferably provided with flange-likeribs 39 at their edges so as to form blocks with beveled corners.

I preferably arrange a sheet of paper i0 on the mold bottom so that theconcrete` does not adhere to the bottom and further this secures smoothfaces for the blocks.

The walls of my improved mold can be adjusted to form blocks havingparallel edges or edges inclined at any angle desired, for the buildingof circular structures of different diameters. The adjustmentis veryeasily accomplished. My improved molding machine is capable of rapidmanipulation and is easy of operation.

In setting up the mold, the side walls are first swung to their erectedposition, the end walls are actuated to their erected position by meansof the crank 3l, a single movement of the crank being suiiicient. Thebottom is then raised by means of the cam shaft 23, which is providedwith a lever 41. After the mold is filled, the end walls are swung outand this releases the side walls, which are in turn swung out and theblock is lifted from the machine, the bottom being ordinarily used as apallet for the drying of the block. Another pallet or mold bottom isthen placed in the machine and the operation may be repeated.

I have illustrated and described my invention in what I consider asatisfactory embodiment, although I am aware that considerablestructural variations or modifications are possible. I have not,however, illustrated these variations or modifications as they will nodoubt be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottom armsbeing horizontallydisposed and the wall arms being vertically disposed;slotted coupling members on said walls adjustably connected to said wallarms by pivots and clamping bolts arranged in said slots; verticallyslotted brackets to which said arms are secured by pivots adjustablyarranged in the slots; cross bars projecting at one side of said frame,the bottom arm brackets being mounted on the projecting ends of saidcross bars; side wall arm stops on said cross bars; coacting adjustablestops on said side wall arms; spring catches for said side wall armsmounted on said cross bars; a cam shaft mounted on said cross bars; camson said shaft; spring cam engaging members on said bottom arms;adjusting screws therefor arranged through said arms; a crank; and linksconnecting the end wall arms to said crank, the links being providedwith yoke-shaped coupling members connected to the crank members of theshaft in oppositely-disposed pairs, the crank member pivots beingadapted to swing past the axial center of the crank to provide a lockingtoggle, the end walls being provided with side wall engaging members,all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottom armsbeing horizontallydisposed and the wall arms being vertically disposed;slotted coupling members on said walls adjustably connected to said wallarms by pivots and clamping bolts arranged in said slots; verticallyslotted brackets toy which said arms are secured by pivots adjustablyarranged in the slots; cross bars projecting at one side of said frame,the bottom arm brackets being mounted on the projecting ends of saidcross bars; side wall arm stops on said cross bars; coacting adjustablestops on said side wall arms; a cam shaft mounted on said cross bars;cams on said shaft; cam engaging members on said bottom arms; a crank;and links connecting the end wall arms to said crank, the end wallsbeing provided with side wall `engaging members, all coacting for thepurpose specified.

3. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end Walls, of bottom and Wall support-- ing arms, the bottomarms being horizontally-disposed and the wall arms being verticallydisposed; slotted coupling members on said walls adjustably connected tosaid wall arms by pivots and clamping bolts arranged in said slots;vertically slotted brackets to which said arms are secured by pivotsadjustably arranged in the slots; cross bars projecting at one side ofsaid frame, the bottom arm brackets being mounted on the projecting endsof said cross bars; spring catches for said side wall arms mounted onsaid cross bars; a cam shaft mounted on said cross bar; cams on saidshaft; spring cam engaging members on said bottom arms; adjusting screwstherefor arranged through said arms; a crank; and links connecting theend wall arms to said crank, the links being provided with yoke-shapedcoupling members connected to the crank members of the shaft inopposit-ely-disposed pairs, the crank member pivots being adapted toswing past the axial center of the crank to provide a locking toggle,the end walls being provided with side wall engaging members, allco-acting for the purpose specified.

4t. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottomand side and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottomarms being horizontallydisposed and the wall arms being verticallydisposed; slotted coupling members on said Walls adjustably connected tosaid wall arms by pivots and clamping bolts arranged in said slots;vertically slotted brackets to which said arms are secured by pivotsadjust-ably arranged in the slots; cross bars projecting at one side ofsaid frame, the bottom arm brackets being mounted on the projecting endsof said cross bars; a cam shaft mounted on said cross bars; cams on saidshaft; cam engaging members on said bottom arms; a crank; and linksconnecting the end wall arms to said crank, the end walls being providedwith side wall engaging members, all coacting for the purpose specified.Y

5. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottom armsbeing horizontallydisposed and the wall arms being vertically dispo-sed;vertically slotted brackets to which said arms are secured by pivotsadjustably arranged in the slots; cross bars projecting at one side ofsaid frame, the bottom arm brackets being mounted on the projectingvends of said cross bars; side Wall arm stops on said cross bars;coacting adjustable stops on said side wall arms; spring catches forsaid side wall arms mounted on said cross bars; a cam shaft mounted onsaid cross bars; cams on said shaft; spring cam engaging justing screwstherefor arranged through said arms; a crank; and links connecting theend wall arms to said crank, the links being provided with yoke-shapedcoupling members connected to the crank members of the shaft inoppositely-disposed pairs, thecrank member pivots being adapted to swingpast the axial center of the crank to provide a locking toggle, the endwalls being provided with side wall engaging members, all coacting forthe purpose specified. i

In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottom armsbeing horizontally-disposed and the wall arms being vertically disposed;\f'erticallyslotted brackets to which said arms are secured by pivotsadjustably arranged in the slots: crossbars projecting at o-ne side ofsaid frame, the betteln arm brackets being mounted on the projectingends of said cross bars; side wall arm stops on said cross bars;coacting adjustable stops on said side wall arms; a cam shaft mounted onsaid cross bars; cams on said shaft; cam engaging members on said bottomarms; a crank; and links connecting the end wall arms to said crank, theend walls being provided with side wall engaging members, all coactingfor the purpose specified.

7. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottom armsbeing horizontally disposed and thefwall arms being vertically disposed;vertically-slotted brackets to which said arms secured by pivots ad-Vjustably arranged in the slots; cross bars projecting at one side ofsaid frame, the bottom arm brackets being mounted on the projecting endsof said cross bars; spring catches for said side wall arms mounted onsaid cross bars; a cam shaft mounted on said cross bars; cams on saidshaft; spring cam engaging members on said bottom arms; adjusting screwstherefor ar anged through said arms; a crank; and links connecting theend wall arms to said crank, the links being provided with yoke-shapedconpling members connected to the crank members of the shaft inoppositely-disposed pairs, the crank member pivot-s being adapted toswing past the axial center of the crank to provide a locking toggle,the end walls being provided with side wall engaging members, allcoacting for the purpose specified.

8. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andside and end walls, of bottom and wall supporting arms, the bottom armsbeing horizontallydisposed an`d the wall arms being vertically disposed;vertically-slotted brackets to which .said arms are secured by pivotsadmembers on said bottom arms; ad- Y justably arranged in the slots;cross bars projecting at one side of said frame, the bottom arm bracketsbeing mounted on the projecting ends of said cross bars; a cam shaftmounted on said cross bars; cams on said shaft; cam engaging members onsaid bottom arms; a crank; and links connecting the end wall arms tosaid crank, the end walls being provided with side wall engagingmembers, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9; In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottom andWalls, of pivoted supporting arms for the mold walls, the mold wallsbeing mounted on said arms for tilting adjust-ment thereon relative tothe bottom to permit their faces being set at varying angles relativethereto, the pivots of said arms being arranged for vertical adjustment.

10. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, of a moldbottom, side Walls, supporting arms for said side Walls, slottedcoupling members on said side walls adjustably connected to saidsupporting` arms by pivots and clamping bolts arranged in said slots,and vertically slotted brackets through which said supporting arms aresecured by pivots adjustably arranged in the slots, the pivots beingprovided with means for clamping them in their adjusted positions in theslots.

l1. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, mold bottomand walls, of supporting arms for opposed Walls, the walls being mountedon said arms for tilting adjustment relative to the plane of the bottomto permit their faces being set at varying angles relative thereto whenin their closed position, vertically slotted supporting brackets forsaidiarms; and pivots for said arms arranged in the slots of saidbrackets, said pivots being provided with clamping sleeves and nutswhereby they may be adjustably secured in the slots.

l2. In a molding machine, the combina-- tion with the frame, of a moldbottom, said bottom being supported for vertical adjustment, a pair ofopposed side Walls, and pivoted supporting arms for said side wallswhereby the side walls are supported to swing over said bottom to theirclosed position, the Walls being mounted on said arms for tiltingadjustment relative to the plane of the botto-m to permit their facesbeing set at varying angles thereto, the pivots of the supporting armsbeing adjustably supported, for the purpose specified.

13. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, of a pair ofopposed mold side Walls, and pivoted supporting arms therefor, saidWalls being adjustably mounted on their said supporting arms to permittilting' adjustment of the Walls to vary the angles of their facesrelative to each other, or to permit their being adjusted in parallelplanes, the pivots for said Wall supporting arms being mounted forvertical adjustment.

let. In a molding machine, the combination with the frame, of a moldbottom, side walls adapted to swing over said bottom When in theirClosed position, and pivoted Wall supporting arms, the pivots of thearms being vertically adjustable, the Walls being adjustably mounted onthe arms to permit tilting thereon relative to the bottom.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two Witnesses.

HIRAM A. SMITH. L. s] Vitnesses L. G. GREENFIELD, M. L. GLASGOW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

